Wigan Athletic owner didn't raise any red flags - EFL chief

Latics were put into administration last week, having only changed hands last month when Next Leader Fund LP bought the club from International Entertainment Corporation.

Local MP Lisa Nandy has written to the government and the English Football League asking for an inquiry as the 2013 FA Cup winners stare down the barrel.

Parry himself says the EFL will be launching their own investigation into what exactly has happened.

But speaking on talkSPORT, he also revealed there was nothing to suggest Au Yeung wasn't a fit and proper person to take charge prior to last week's events.

When asked by host Jim White whether Au Yeung was 'perfectly acceptable as an owner', Parry replied: "He was, absolutely.

"There was nothing to suggest there was anything untoward.

"He made the financial commitment, we verified he had the wherewithal.

"Clearly what we can't legislate for is people changing their mind.

"To be fair to IEC, they put in £24million of funding to support the club since they took over.

"So there was nothing to suggest that the support that had been promised wouldn't be forthcoming."

Regarding the EFL's plans to get to the bottom of the mess, he added: "We haven't managed to get in touch with the owners.

"But we are launching our own investigation to find out exactly what has gone on.

"Clearly that is not being helped by them not being here, they're a long way away.

"Which of course raises the question of foreign and absentee owners.

"We are obviously communicating on a regular basis with the administrators, who have access to far more information than we have.

"But this is certainly something we need to get to the bottom of, because what they've done to the club and the fans - and indeed to the integrity of the Championship - is unacceptable and unprecedented.

"To then make a statement and say this was caused by the Covid-19 crisis, well I think we were well through the crisis before the takeover went through, so that doesn't stack up either."

Parry also revealed he only became aware there was a potential problem as recently as last Tuesday - 24 hours before the news became public.

"We found out from the people at the club the day before the announcement," he added.

"I think 'stunned' would be the word...it was completely out of the blue.

"It frankly made no sense, and it still makes no sense.

"Why you would spend £40million acquiring a club and put it straight into administration, it just doesn't stack up.

"The team was clearly playing well, they've got a good squad, good young players, saleable assets, money to come in from the PL>

"The timing of it just doesn't make any kind of sense at all to me.

"It was a complete bolt from the blue."